The No. 44 LSU men’s tennis team’s start to its last home weekend of the season against South Carolina on Friday night was one to remember.
Having lost on all of the first three courts in singles play, the Tigers relied on senior Boris Arias and juniors Jordan Daigle and Justin Butsch for hopes of a comeback. 
Daigle, who currently is No. 69 in the nation in singles play, started the rush, defeating Gamecocks sophomore Gabriel Friedrich, 7-6 and 6-3 on court 1.
“As a coach, you’re constantly aware of the number four,” said LSU coach Jeff Brown. “That’s what it takes it to win. Sometimes you’re hoping against hope, but today I felt like it was really possible.”
As Arias and Butsch were tied in each of their third sets, they simultaneously took the lead and did not look back. 
As Arias swept the next two set points to defeat South Carolina sophomore Thomas Mayronne, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Butsch headed into his fifth set with momentum all in his hands.
He, too, swept the remaining sets and clinched the comeback, defeating junior Andrew Schafer, 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.
“I remember earlier in the year we played Rice,” Butsch said. “I was kind of in the same position, but didn’t go for my shots and felt really regretful about it. This time I just played not to lose. I told myself, if I lose I’m going to go down swinging.”
Butsch and his partner senior Tam Trinh and the Tigers’ tenth-ranked doubles team of Daigle and Arias came out firing to secure the doubles point.
“[Doubles play] might have been too good,” Brown said. “It almost set us up for a big let down in the beginning of singles. We’re continuing to put things together as Jordan and Boris get back on track and if we can maintain the doubles, it will give us a chance against a lot of teams.”
The Tigers smiled going into singles, but the real joy came at game end.
Now, LSU prepares for it’s final doubleheader on Sunday, featuring matchups against New Orleans at 11.30 a.m. and No. 7 Georgia at 5 p.m. 
“We’ve been through so much this year,” Butsch said. “So much talk, so much learning. It’s awesome seeing it slowly coming together.”